Description: At 4:00 am on the morning of August 21, 1864, Maj. Gen.
Nathan Bedford Forrest made a daring raid on Union-held Memphis, Tennessee,
but it was not an attempt to capture the city, occupied by 6,000 Federal
troops. The raid had three objectives: to capture three Union generals
posted there; to release Southern prisoners from Irving Block Prison;
and to cause the recall of Union forces from Northern Mississippi. Striking
northwestward for Memphis with 2,000 cavalry, Forrest lost about a quarter
of his strength because of exhausted horses. Surprise was essential.
Taking advantage of a thick dawn fog and claiming to be a Union patrol
returning with prisoners, the Confederates eliminated the sentries. Galloping
through the streets and exchanging shots with other Union troops, the raiders
split to pursue separate missions. One Union general was not at his
quarters and another escaped to Fort Pickering dressed in his night-shirt.
The attack on Irving Block Prison also failed when Union troops stalled
the main body at the State Female College. After two hours, Forrest decided
to withdraw, cutting telegraph wires, taking 500 prisoners and large quantities
of supplies, including many horses. Although Forrest failed in Memphis,
his raid influenced Union forces to return there, from northern Mississippi,
and provide protection.